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Supergirl is getting another supervillain, and he's a big one. The CW announced Thursday that the show's currently airing fourth season will soon introduce the most iconic nemesis in the entire Superman family: Lex Luthor, the megalomaniacal genius, businessman, and occasional world leader who's been battling the Man of Steel and his allies for decades.

Casting is now underway for the role, which has previously been played by the likes of Gene Hackman, Jesse Eisenberg, Clancy Brown (in voice form), and Michael Rosenbaum in a previous CW incarnation on Smallville.

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"We're beyond excited to introduce iconic villain, Lex Luthor, to Supergirl and to weave him into our story this season," executive producers Robert Rovner and Jessica Queller said in a joint statement. "We’ve talked about having Lex on the show since its inception and we’re excited to have him finally arrive. We can’t wait for him to shake things up in National City and watch him go toe to toe with not only Supergirl, but his sister Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath)."

First introduced in Action Comics #23 way back in 1940, Luthor's persona, motives, and methods have evolved along with Superman's in the intervening decades, but he's remained a near-constant presence not just in the Man of Tomorrow's adventures, but in the DC Comics universe at large.

It's not clear yet exactly when Lex will make his debut on Supergirl, but he's been an off-screen presence on the show for years, mentioned and referenced often. The CW did make it clear that he will not be a part of "Elseworlds," the December crossover event with Arrow and The Flash which will introduce Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane and see the return of Tyler Hoechlin as Superman.

What do you think? Is it time for Lex to join the Arrowverse? Who should play him?